If you’re having a hard time sleeping every night, you might be considering seeing a medical sleep expert. So you may be wondering just how to go about finding such a doctor.
There are various factors involved in finding the right sleep specialist for you. Let’s talk about some of the main things that you should look for in your search.
How to Find a Sleep Doctor
A true sleep specialist will have the following qualities and qualifications:
Conducts a Sleep Study
A sleep study is simply an evaluation of a person’s sleep patterns, and it is usually conducted in a bedroom-like “sleep lab.” A qualified sleep doctor will have a sleep lab available to perform these evaluations.
During an overnight sleep study, you will have electrodes placed on various parts of your body. Your breathing, heartbeat, movements, and other patterns will be recorded and monitored while you sleep. The physician will then evaluate this information to determine your specific sleep issues and to prescribe proper treatment.
Has Proper Accreditation
Another thing that you should consider is the proper accreditation of their clinic. Yes, the doctor might be board-certified, but proper accreditation of the clinic is a different story.
Look for a clinic that is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. This means that they follow the provisions of a quality medical sleep clinic.
Provides Patient Education
A good sleep doctor should address a patient’s overall health concerns and explain what is happening to your body as you sleep. During your consultation with the doctor, they should say how they perform the sleep study, how they analyze the information gathered during the study, and how they follow up with you to make sure that what they prescribe is working – or, if not, what else they might try.
You should feel comfortable with the physician and feel like you trust the person. Patients are much more likely to continue following through with a doctor’s recommendations if the patient trusts the doctor.
Is Conveniently Located
You will wake up the next morning after your sleep study and will probably want to go right home, so make sure that you choose a sleep expert whose office is easily accessible from main roads and highways.
Sleep Experts in Dallas-Fort Worth
If you are in the North Texas or DFW area and are looking for a medical sleep expert, schedule a consultation at Lung & Sleep Specialists of North Texas. Our services include pulmonary medicine, integrative medicine, allergy and immunology, and sleep medicine.
We have a comfortable on-site sleep center that will make you feel like you’re in a hotel room, not in a medical clinic. You are encouraged to bring anything with you that will help you sleep, including special pillows and blankets and even a bear.
Our goal is to enable our patients to achieve an outstanding quality of life and overall health and wellness. If you would like to find out more about having a sleep study, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (817) 594-9993 or by filling out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you get a good night’s sleep again!
